The diocesan website has a list of female religious orders working within the Diocese of Brentwood. We are also collating contact information for all the Religious Orders who have Priests serving in the Diocese and will display that information shortly.

Brother Augustine Bailey OSB's story

"Deep calls to deep
in the voice of your mighty waters"

— Psalm 42.7

Brother Augustine Bailey OSB I write on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord and the day after having been clothed as a novice Benedictine monk at Worth Abbey. I have received a new name after St. Augustine of Canterbury, the father of Christianity in these British Isles and I have commenced a period of deeper testing of my vocation. God really is a God of surprises who leads us gently if we respond to His loving promptings. In rare moments God gives us the clarity to catch a glimpse of the tapestry He is weaving and He offers us an invitation too great to turn down.

At the age of 26 I find myself at a threshold where I have completed a period of postulancy (trial period) with the Monastic Community. Now as a novice I find myself ever more fully wishing to imitate Peter in ‘walking to Jesus across the water’ (Mathew 14:29) through the guidance of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict.

I grew up in Chelmsford in the Parish of St. Augustine of Canterbury and attended Our Lady Immaculate Primary School. Faith was a very real and important part of my education and my formation was deeply embedded in the Parish life. I began my secondary education at King Edward VI Grammar School, though I often found myself searching for where faith fitted into my education and expanding knowledge of the world. At the interior level I always had a sense that God might be calling me towards a religious vocation but more often than not this was too scary a proposition to really consider. I was endeavouring to incubate this sense of calling in a hope that it would leave me alone. Nevertheless, I had lingering questions that perhaps I might be called to priesthood.

I studied for a law degree at Downing College, University of Cambridge and I graduated in 2007. Amidst my academic studies, there was real personal growth and discovery. I found myself in an environment where I was able to explore my faith much more fully, supported by the very strong University Catholic Chaplaincy at Fisher House. I met other young people who were considering a calling to priesthood or religious life and I was guided by some wise and learned mentors. During these years I discovered the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service and travelled with groups to Rome and Poland as well as becoming actively involved in the Diocese. In 2006 I spent six months working for CAFOD (Catholic Association for Overseas Development) in their headquarters in Brixton, London. For some time I considered a more active vocation in which I could perhaps combine my legal studies with my desire to work in the Church. I continued to consider the possibility of Diocesan priesthood as well as life as a Franciscan friar. Beneath this level of inquiry, manifested in a deeper and stiller way in prayer, I had the sense that God was calling me to something different. He was asking me to come closer to Him in prayer, to be still, to listen and to seek.

After graduating I spent a month at the Benedictine monastery of St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo, California. This experience affirmed my understanding that God was calling me towards life as a monk. Upon returning to the UK I worked for a year as a volunteer on the team at Walsingham House, the Brentwood Diocesan Youth Retreat Centre helping to lead retreats for young adults from across our Diocese. During this year I embarked on the Compass Project, a vocation discernment project for young adults considering a call to religious life, based at Worth Abbey.

I travelled as a pilgrim with the Youth Service to World Youth Day held in Sydney in 2008 and upon returning from Australia I worked for CAFOD and then for BT Global Services. Throughout this time I remained a frequent visitor to Worth Abbey and God was helping me to be patient and listen to his invitation. Shortly after Easter 2009 I wrote to Abbot Christopher Jamison stating that I wished to come and test my vocation as a Benedictine monk at Worth Abbey. Joyfully my request was accepted. I entered the Community in September 2009 and began my journey in monastic life and the search for the heart of God. ‘Deep calls to deep’ and God prompts us in moments of stillness. We all must cultivate moments of authentic stillness in which we can openly say to God through the words of His Son, ‘thy will be done’.

Katie's story

Here is an excerpt from the BBC's Songs of Praise programme originally aired on 3rd January 2010. The clip introduces Katie Colbran, a former air stewardess, who has decided to give up her normal routine in order to become a Nun. She will be joining the Community Of Our Lady Of Walsingham, which was set up just five years ago by Sister Camilla Oberding.


Scott's Story

Scott In recent months many people asked me why I chose to enter religious life. The quickest answer I can give is because I believed it was what God wanted me to do, and it afforded me the opportunity to devote myself entirely to Christ.

My journey to faith was very long and slow. God announced himself to me in a very dynamic way when I was 21, however being young and foolish I was not ready to answer him. God called again when I was 24 with the same result. Again when I was 28 when I felt I might be prepared to listen to him, but alas I was still not ready to follow him. Eventually when I was 34, having sought happiness in all the places apart from the only one that could truly give it to me, I finally got to the point I think where the Lord had made me see that apart from him all pleasure is empty and happiness outside of Christ is an illusion.

My conversion was somewhat overwhelming as not only did I feel a great desire to start going to church, but I also felt a strong urge towards the priesthood.

I won't describe the next four years in great detail; suffice to say that with each yes I gave Him, He gave me grace in greater measure. I still tried to twist and turn away from this calling at times, but the one thing I just couldn't seem to get away from was a growing love for Jesus.

I eventually worked out that God wanted me to live in community, and because he knows I love a challenge it seemed he wanted me to become the first brother of COLW. I began the formal application process with the community in September 2008.

For the next couple of months I felt very happy with what was to come, with punctuated periods of doubt and confusion. As Christmas 2008 approached, I started to have some serious doubts about the path I was taking. My confusion stemmed from the thought that maybe I really wanted to be a husband and father, but because of past hurts I was trying to protect myself by hiding in celibate life.

The Christmas holiday that year was very intense for me with a lot of soul searching. In the New Year having thought, prayed and meditated about as much as I could, it seemed I couldn't escape from the doubts that I had and with much regret having discussed these at length with Sr. Camilla I decided I couldn't go forward with my application at that time.

Jesus however knew I wasn't saying no. He Knew I was having a hard time dealing with the opinions of my nearest and dearest who not being religious people believed marriage and children was the key to my happiness. Thanks be to God that Jesus reminded me He was the key to my happiness! He started whispering in my heart again just a few weeks later. I wriggled and bought a car. He whispered a bit louder. I wriggled and started dating again. He cleared his throat with an 'Ahem' and I turned and looked at Him. As soon as I did my heart burst into flame all over again, but more importantly he gave me a more precious gift. He gave me clarity and peace. And then I KNEW I had to test my vocation in community.

This time I didn't discuss my thoughts with all and sundry. I just let God talk to me and I listened. I surrendered my trust to Him and before long I surprised Sr. Camilla with a completed application form for the community and asked if she would still consider accepting me. Fortunately she agreed to consider my application again and I joined COLW in July 2009.

This whole experience has really taught me that discernment truly is ongoing. I am getting to know myself more deeply and trying to face up to my fears about life. I remain open to Jesus' love, and that of my dear sisters at COLW. In time I pray that God will bring me to wholeness so that I can receive His love more fully and unashamedly, and perhaps then I will make good progress towards union with Him.

I would encourage anyone considering giving themselves to God to be patient, open minded and above all honest with themselves. If you can do this then Jesus, our friend, teacher and saviour will lead you to where He wants you to be, i.e. the place that will make you most happy. Just be generous in spirit and courageous in your determination to surrender to the Lord's will for you. God bless you in your discernment and in the choices you make.

Annette's Story

Annette Being now fully immersed into community life with the COLW (Community of Our Lady of Walsingham), many memories of my missionary life with the ICPE (The International Catholic Programme of Evangelisation) have come back to me.

ICPE, a mixed lay community, brought me to Rome, Malta, Germany and New Zealand, where I gained much experience in formation and training of Catholic's from all over the world in worship and evangelisation. The biggest difference for me is that the COLW is a religious contemplative community. As a missionary I had sometimes questioned consecrated life but only years later did this emerge and come clearly to the surface. In taking my call seriously I came across the COLW, which is located in my diocese. I can see God's providence in raising up this community which seeks to help young people discern their call in life.

I come from a catholic family of five and I am the forth child, born in the USA of British parents. My brother and sisters are all happily married and have given me ten nieces and nephews to love and to cherish. I thought that I would be married and have a family as well. My mother always quotes the nuns telling her 'Brenda, married life is not a vacation, it's a vocation!' The only time I have heard the word 'vocation' was in the context of marriage (my parents are happily married for over 53 years).

Before I was a missionary I lived in Holland studying physical education (any Dutch speakers out there, please come to me!). During this time I experienced a great emptiness in my heart and I was led to start a search for real happiness. My search led me to encounter Christ through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, especially through the sacraments and whilst on pilgrimage to 'Parai le Monial' in France. A desire for spiritual formation grew in me and led me to Rome, to the ICPE, where my identity in the Lord as His beloved daughter was firmly rooted in the heart of God the Father. As a consequence I only wanted to make him known and to help others experience the loving healing hand of God and to come to know the Truth which sets us free to be who God created us to be in him.

Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helens Church in Westcliff on Sea has been my parish over the past years and I have been blessed with many parish friends and now many more! Hospitality continues to be the way God calls me to serve Him so you may see me with a chef's hat on the next time you visit. I look forward to welcoming you and I also look forward to continue to immerse myself into the various stages of formation and vocational discernment which await me with COLW.